OK, so the question is, which do you prefer? My hippo pots or some hack from Denmark working at the Royal Copenhagen factory (see post and link below). You see, cm, or was it celeste, mentioned this multi-gazillion dollar special order of hand painted dishes. In their way, they are very skilled pieces of art. BUT, let's talk about factory production VS the studio potter. Royal Copenhagen, Dresden China and Hummel Figurines do employ artists and artisans and craftsmen. There is a designer with paper drawings of dishes and patterns, a model maker to make the thing, an engineer to make molds, a production worker to fill and fire the pieces, finishers to make the dishes perfect, then china painters who add the designs. So, yes, there is hand work all along the line. The studio potter, like me, enjoys the hands on approach of every step of the way. He is independent, and proud of the limited work coming out of the studio, every step of which is his. Factory production almost killed studio pottery, but actually turned it into a cottage art industry a hundred years, and I benefit from that. BUT, any student who went to Bennington College, or any studio potter, even though they might appreciate some of the skills that go into china, really turns up their nose at this kind of work. Yuck!
People, of course, are welcome to give me millions for my hippo work, as seen above.
4 comments:
Is both an acceptable answer?
It was only $400,000. :-) And to my mind, comparing the two is apples and oranges.
i prefer yours!!!
I agree with Chrissy--the painting is really cute. I wouldn't mind having the set, but people have to realize it is like cm says--apples and oranges. Denis, of course, also went to Bennington, therefore he understands the upturned nose when it comes to factory production pottery. Jalopy junktown does a really fabulous article here, and his point about an overpriced painting or an awesomely painted set of dishes is a good one.
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